Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

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josie andrews
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Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by josie andrews »

The squads from one of the Bulls and Rhinos' great meetings 20 years ago will be in attendance Sunday!

Gary Hetherington admits Leeds Rhinos are pleased to see local rivals Bradford Bulls in a 'strong and solid' position for the first time in a good while, before revealing the squads from both clubs who contested an unforgettable Challenge Cup Final 20 years ago will be guests to watch the pre-season friendly between the two clubs this weekend.

The Bulls and the Rhinos competed in several major finals between 2003 and 2005, with each of them winning a Grand Final during that time, and Bradford emerging successful in a nail-biting Challenge Cup finale in Cardiff. The Bulls then entered a period of decline which culminated in not only relegation from Super League, but liquidation to boot, and they are now firmly entrenched in the Championship.

But ahead of the friendly between the two rivals on Sunday, Hetherington reiterated his belief that a strong Bradford can be beneficial for the game. "For the first time in years, they seem to have a very strong and solid management," the Leeds chief executive told Rugby League Live. "Which is something they've not had for some time. They've got an ambition and an optimism we're pleased about."

Hetherington also revealed that players from both teams who featured in that cup final 20 years ago will be guests of Leeds on Sunday - as well as the Rhinos coaching staff from the 2003 season, which includes current Warrington coach Daryl Powell, who was head coach of Leeds in Cardiff.

"We're turning the clock back 20 years and inviting the two squads from 2003 back to Headingley," Hetherington said. "We had a memorable cup final at Cardiff and two games with huge attendances that season, both over 20,000.

At that time, we were aspiring to become as good as Bradford. They were the leaders off the field as well as on it and that year was the start of a great rivalry. Both squads will be invited, and the coaching team of Leeds from that day - Daryl Powell, Malcolm Reilly and Mick Cook - will all be back. That will bring some great memories from 20 years ago, and at the same time everyone will be able to enjoy what is hopefully the start of a new, bright future for both clubs too."

The two clubs will play for the newly-devised Keith Howard Foundation Trophy, named after a local philanthropist and Bulls supporter who passed away last year. The game marks the start of a link-up between both clubs and their respective foundations to improve the work in the community across West Yorkshire.

It's all part of a new initiative that's come together between the two foundations of the clubs to pool their resources and do more good work in Leeds and Bradford," Hetherington added.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... y-26062575
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
widdenoldboy
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by widdenoldboy »

Super League needs a strong Bradford, that it is taking so long is very poor on our sport.
medlocke
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by medlocke »

widdenoldboy wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:49 am Super League needs a strong Bradford, that it is taking so long is very poor on our sport.
Why?
josie andrews
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by josie andrews »

medlocke wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:52 am
widdenoldboy wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:49 am Super League needs a strong Bradford, that it is taking so long is very poor on our sport.
Why?
Mm! So they have another Yorkshire team to hold sway over RFL 😉
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
CheshireWarrior
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by CheshireWarrior »

medlocke wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:52 am
widdenoldboy wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:49 am Super League needs a strong Bradford, that it is taking so long is very poor on our sport.
Why?
I ask the same question, multiple owners and investors, so many radical ideas, yet they fall into administration constantly and have even spent time ground sharing with Dewsbury. I think Bradford are similar to London in the respect that in very early SL years, the clubs made rapid progress and grown so well, its all yesteryear though.
fozzieskem
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by fozzieskem »

widdenoldboy wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:49 am Super League needs a strong Bradford, that it is taking so long is very poor on our sport.
I'm far from convinced with this statement time and again they've gone belly up,not paid suppliers whilst doing so yet we are meant to believe the sport needs them?

No their day in the sun has long since passed
the pieman
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by the pieman »

no, no, no, no no, and yet again no

history of going bust (not just recent history)

they have a golden era of around 6-8 years when they won stuff, and then nothing

Other than being another West Yorkshire team in SL, they offer nothing that other clubs cannot offer, other than a ground where there is a good chance that fog / mist will descend to prevent you watching whats going on down on the pitch

if they get back into SL on merit (meeting all criteria that may be set by IMG) then fair play to them, but absolutely no to any sort of fast tracking
widdenoldboy
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by widdenoldboy »

CheshireWarrior wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 10:17 am
medlocke wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:52 am
widdenoldboy wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:49 am Super League needs a strong Bradford, that it is taking so long is very poor on our sport.
Why?
I ask the same question, multiple owners and investors, so many radical ideas, yet they fall into administration constantly and have even spent time ground sharing with Dewsbury. I think Bradford are similar to London in the respect that in very early SL years, the clubs made rapid progress and grown so well, its all yesteryear though.
Too some extent, this is my point, why can our collective administrators not sort this after 20+ years?

As to why we would want a Super League club in a major city in our heartlands answers itself, its a failure that reflects badly on our sport.
morley pie eater
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by morley pie eater »

I don't remember the full details, but wasn't the settlement in the acrimonious legal case between Leeds and Bradford over Iestyn Harris one of the reasons for Bradford going bust? And wasn't Uncle Gary in charge at Leeds at the time?

If so, the noises from GH may be a sign that they've kissed and made up, or that he's realised that Leeds have lost more from their derby games than they gained from going to court?
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medlocke
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Re: Leeds Rhinos' Gary Hetherington throws support behind Nigel Wood's Bradford Bulls management

Post by medlocke »

morley pie eater wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 4:24 pm I don't remember the full details, but wasn't the settlement in the acrimonious legal case between Leeds and Bradford over Iestyn Harris one of the reasons for Bradford going bust? And wasn't Uncle Gary in charge at Leeds at the time?

If so, the noises from GH may be a sign that they've kissed and made up, or that he's realised that Leeds have lost more from their derby games than they gained from going to court?
Correct
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